Multiple-container units



p 1958 w. KLAIBER 3,399,63

MULTIPLE-CONTAINER UNITS Filed April 21., 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F?. i I2 H Zi Ma e/71w: WoaH'er KLAIBER 5 (/f 0 1 52 his Afiorngy Sept. 3, 1968 W. KLAIBER MULTIPLE-CONTAINER UNITS Filed April 21, 1967 Fig. 2

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lnvenlar:

WouHer KL-AIBER by:

his Afforney nited. "States ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A unit which a plurality of containers arranged in endto-end-relation. The containers are connected to each other and have adjoining end walls which define a given space between themselves. Within this space is situated a combustible material as well as an ignition means which is manually operable so that upon actuation thereof it will ignite the combustible material to heat the contents of the containers. The ignition means is accessible from the exterior of the space in which the combustible material is located so that this ignition means can be actuated from the exterior of the unit to ignite the combustible material for heating the contents of the containers. The adjoining end walls have recesses extending inwardly toward the interior of the containers and have a concave exterior configuration substantially forming parts of spheres, and it is these end wall recesses of the container which receive between themselves the combustible material which is to be ignited. A ring of heat-insulating material surrounds the combustible material in the space between the adjoining container end walls and the ignition means includes an ignitable mass situated between the heat-insulating ring and the combustible material next to the latter as well as an ignition cord extending from the ignitable mass to the exterior of the unit so as to be accessible for igniting the ignitable mass. The containers are interconnected by an outer ring.

Background of the invention The invention relates to units composed of a plurality of cointainers the contents of which are to be heated.

Thus, the present invention relates to a salable unit composed of a plurality of containers which may be of the same size and configuration. In particular, the present invention relates to containers which are adapted to contain food. Thus, the containers which form the units of the invention are adapted to contain .fOOd which requires heating, so that the unit also includes a source of heat.

Food containers with heat sources are of particular advantage when it is necessary to supply food in open spaces where heat is not readily available. Thus, units of containers with food therein and heat sources are particularly suited for use during trips away from locations where sources of heat are readily available.

It is already known to provide food containers with heat sources, but with the known constructions a pair of containers are joined together with only one of these containers enclosing the food which is to be heated while the second container serves exclusively to house, in a suitable insulating body, a combustible material which is used for heating the food in the other container. Experience has shown that units of this latter type are relatively costly, so that because of the expensive nature of such units they are not used to the extent that they would be if their costs were reduced.

Summary of the invention Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a unit of the above general type which will avoid the above drawbacks of conventional units.

In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a unit which will have the food containers and heat sources fatent ice arranged in such a way that an economical use may be made of the heat.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a unit of the above general type which is simple in its construction and inexpensive to manufacture, so that the unit can be sold at a low price.

In accordance with the invention, the unit includes a plurality of containers, which may be of the same size and shape, these containers being arranged in end-to-end relation so that they have adjoining end walls. The adjoining end walls of the containers define a given space between themselves, and this space may be formed in part by depressions of the adjoining end walls, these depressions extending into the containers of which the end walls respectively form part and having exterior concave configurations which may form, at least substantially, parts of spheres. The space between the end walls, and in particular these end wall depressions, receive a combustible material, and an ignition means, which is manually operable and accessible from the exterior of the space, is provided for igniting the combustible material when the ignition means is actuated.

Thus, with the construction of the invention the combustile material is situated between the adjoining end walls of a pair of containers enclosed within the space which is defined between these end walls, and a single body of combustible material, when it is ignited, produces the simultaneous heating of a pair of food containers. Such a unit may include a series of more than two containers for supplying large groups of people, with each pair of adjoining containers having the adjoining end walls between which is located the combustible material and the ignition means. Thus, the unit of the invention is particularly suitable for camping and for supplying large groups, such as army personnel, and the like, with units capable of being actuated to provide heated food.

It is preferred to provide the adjoining end walls of the containers with flat peripheral wall portions surrounding the concave substantially spherical depressions which receive the combustible material. Thus, the food containers of the units of theinvention differ from conventional food containers only in that an end wall of each container is provided with an inwardly extending concave depression. Experience has shown that by constructing the food containers in this way, a reliable, intimate transfer of heat will be provided, since the depressions extend into the interiors of the containers to be surrounded therein in a reliable manner by the food which is to be heated. Of course, the invention can be used with containers enclosing materials other than foods which require heating. In addition, the concave configuration of the end walls of the containers at the depressions thereof enlarge the heating surface so as to provide a better heating efficiency.

The combustible material which is provided for heating the food containers acts in a highly intensive manner and is capable of heating the contents of the containers in a few minutes. In order that the containers may conven iently be grasped so that they can be opened, in spite of the heating thereof, the combustible material in the space between the containers, and in particular the depressions of the end Walls which receive the combustible material, are surrounded by a ring of heat-insulating material such as, for example, an asbesto cord.

Each pair of adjoining containers can have their adjoining end walls connected to each other by a connecting ring which is joined to the peripheries of the end walls, extend across the space therebetween, by a conventional machine which connects the end of a can to a side wall thereof so that, for example, the opposed edges of the connecting ring are beaded over against the peripheries of the end walls of the containers for reliably connecting them to each other.

The ignition means has a combustible mass situated next to the combustible material between the latter and the heat-insulating ring, and the latter ring as well as the outer connecting ring are respectively formed with registering openings through which an ignition cord extends, this cord engaging the combustible mass so that when the cord is pulled the mass will be ignited in a known manner. The ignition cord has an end which is accessible at the exterior of the connecting ring, and in order that the outer end of the ignition cord be protected, particularly so that it will not be capable of being engaged during transportation of the unit, the outer connecting ring is formed with a depression, such as an outer annular groove, in which the outer end of the ignition cord is enclosed.

Brief description of the drawings The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings which form part of this application and in which:

FIG. 1 shows in elevation one possible embodiment of Description of a preferred embodiment In the example which is illustrated in the drawings, the unit of the invention is shown in a condition where it is ready to be sold to the ultimate consumer. This unit includes a pair of food containers 11 and 21, such as metal cans in which foodstulfs are enclosed according to conventional canning procedures. These cans 11 and 21 are of conventional sizes, and in the illustrated example they are both of the same size and configuration. At their ends which are directed away from each other, the cans 11 and 21 are respectively closed by outer end walls 12 and 22. These outer end walls are applied to the containers, closing the latter, after the containers have been filled with foodstuffs.

The adjoining end walls 13 and 23 of the containers 11 and 21 are fiat only at their outer peripheral regions 13a and 23a, respectively, whereas at their central portions the adjoining end walls 13 and 23 are respectively formed with concave depressions 13b and 23b which respectively extend into the containers of which these end walls form a part, these concave depressions being of a configuration substantially forming parts of spheres, respectively.

Thus, the adjoining end walls 13 and 23 of the containers 11 and 2.1, respectively, define between themselves a given space which includes the hollow interiors of the depressions 13b and 23b. Within this space is situated a combustible material 18 made of any inexpensive matter which upon ignition will provide an intense heat. For example, Wood shavings or chips, scrap pieces of fabric, or any such inexpensive combustible materials, or combinations thereof, can form the combustible material 18. This combustible material is situated within an envelope 17, made, for example, of plastic foil, or the envelope 17 may take the form of a metal casing or the like formed with openings passing therethrough, so that in this way the combustible material is itself enclosed within a suitable enclosure 17 situated within and substantially filling the recesses 13b and 23b as well as the space therebetween.

An ignition means, which is manually operable, is located in the space between the adjoining end walls 13 and 23 for igniting the combustible material 18. This ignition means includes an ignitable mass 24 situated directly next to the combustible material 18, and in addition the manually operable ignition means includes a tear or pull igniter 26 made up of friction surfaces which produce ignition when they rub against each other. Thus, the ignitable mass 24 is made of any Well known material which is easily ignited when sparks or the like derived from the rubbing friction surfaces of the igniter 26 are provided. This igniter 26 includes a pull-cord 25 accessible at the exterior and capable of actuating the igniter 26 to provide at its rubbing friction surfaces sparks which will ignite the mass 24 when the cord 25 is pulled by the operator.

The structure which surrounds the ignitable mass 24 is formed with suitable openings through which the pullcord 25 extends to the exterior of the space between the adjoining end walls 13 and 23. In order to prevent escape of heat from the space in which the combustible material 18 is situated, a heat-insulating ring 28 made of a material such as asbestos cord, steel rolls or the like, surrounds the recesses 13b and 23b and the combustible material therein with the mass 24 situated between the combustible material 18 and the heat-insulating ring 28. This heat-insulating ring engages the flat peripheral wall portions 13a and 23a of the adjoining end walls of the containers.

The structure further includes an outer connecting ring 30 which has its'opposed edges overlapping and headed over the exteriors of the cans 11 and 21 at the peripheries of the adjoining end walls thereof, so that the connecting ring 30 serves not only to interconnect the pair of containers 11 and 21, but also to completely enclose the space between the adjoining end walls 13 and 23 thereof, so that in this way the source of heat is completely closed off from the exterior. The heat-insulating ring 28 as well as the outer connecting ring 30 are respectively formed with registering openings through which the pull-cord 25 extends to the exterior of the ring 30. These registering openings which accommodate the pull-cord 25 serve additionally to provide an escape for the combustion gases after the cord has been pulled and the mass 24 ignited so that the combustible material 18 is more easily ignited. This combustible material 18, since it is in this way closed off completely from the exterior before ignition thereof, may be made of materials of the type referred to above but which are soaked in a highly combustible liquid to further promote an intense heating when the material 18 is ignited. If desired, however, additional escape openings may be provided in the outer connecting ring 30 so that the combustion gases can escape therethrough.

As may be seen from FIG. 2, the connecting ring is formed with a depression 31, which in the illustrated example takes the form of an annular groove which is pressed into the connecting ring 30, and the outer end portion of the pull-cord 25 is situated in this depression 31. For safety purposes an adhesive strip may be situated over the outer end of the pull-cord 25 at the exterior of the ring 30. This arrangement provides the further advantage of enabling the adhesive strip to form an air-tight closure of the space between the containers.

By connecting the adhesive strip, after it is removed from the connecting ring 30, to the end of the pull-cord 25, the latter can be rendered more conveniently operable. This latter advantage can also be achieved by slipping over the end of the pull-cord a plastic tube which is joined to the outer end of the pull-cord, such a plastic tube or the like, by its connection to the outer end of the pullcord, rendering the latter more easily operable.

In order to heat the contents of the containers it is only required to pull the outer end of the cord 25. In this way the ignitable mass 24 is kindled and the combustible material 18 becomes ignited. The combustion process itself, which can develop a temperature on the order of 700 C., lasts only approximately 15 seconds. The residue of the combustion, as well as the ring 28 of insulating material, holds the heat at the space between the containers so that the contents thereof are heated within a few minutes.

Of course, the invention is not necessarily limited to use of only one heat source for only a pair of containers. Thus, it is possible to provide a larger number of containers connected together in end-to-end relation in series in the above-described manner, and with such an arrangement of more than two containers connected in series the end wall 22 of the lower container of FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, will be provided with a depression of the same nature as the depression 23b of the other end wall 23 of the same container, so that this lower end wall 22 will define with the next adjoining container a space containing the components of the invention as described above and shown in section in FIG. 1. Thus, with such an arrangement all of the containers, except the outer end containers of the series, can be simultaneously heated from both of their ends.

Although the connecting ring prevents moisture from entering into the space between the adjoining containers, the beaded-over edges of the ring 30 can additionally be provided with a liquid-tight lacquer or the like. Instead of this latter expedient, however, it is possible to enclose the entire salable unit in a suitable plastic container, such as a plastic bag or the like, made of plastic foil.

Although materials of the type referred to above can be used for the combustible material 18, they have the disadvantage of developing too much smoke. It is therefore preferred to use for the combustible material 18 a substance which will not burn 'with a flame but which instead will only glow so that when ignition is provided by way of the mass 24 an extremely intense heating at temperatures in the range of 350400 C. can be achieved. Thus, the expression combustible material is intended to cover a material which will glow as well as one which will burn with a flame.

It is preferred to use for the material 18 thermite compounds which contain aluminum. After many tests, a substance having the following composition has proved to be most suitable:

A pulverized mixture of:

40% FeO 40% of a vaporizable material such as, for example,

sand, pumice powder, or corundum.

These materials will retard the burning process but at the same time will hold the heat very well. The heat is conducted to the cans through the material which is preferably situated in the enclosure 17. The cans are heated in this way within minutes.

The mass 24 has a composition which will develop a high temperature so as to heat the material 18 which glows in order to heat the contents of the cans. For this purpose, the ignitable mass 24 preferably is a mixture of two materials x and y which have the following properties:

The material x has the property of enlarging the ignition sparks while the material y serves to achieve a high temperature so that the material 18 can be brought to the temperature required for glowing. For this purpose the following substances can be used:

For x: all oxidizable oxygen-releasing substances such as:

Perchlorate Chlorate Nitrate Peroxide KCLO; KCLO; KNOK EH03 NaCLOr NaCLO; NaNOz NazOz BaCLOr BaCLOg BaNOs Kclo, 15% 1261010, 17% c 11% Mg 11% Al,

the weight of this mixture being, in total, about 0.75 gram.

For y:

25% finely ground fireclay or sand, pumice powder,

corundum.

This mixture having a weight of approximately 1.25 grams.

Experience has shown that this pyrotechnic mixture x, y is particularly suitable because it is not dangerous and it is extremely inexpensive.

The pull-igniter 26 is made of conventional materials, which, for example, are known in connection with wooden matches. That part which in response to friction will produce a flame, contains the following substances:

Potassium chlorate, KClO as well as additions of sulphur, antimony sulfide (Sb S lead (IV) oxide (P1302) and a binder.

The second component of the friction igniter can be made of red phosphorous which is mixed with glass powder and a binder.

When the match is ignited the phosphorous is torn loose from the friction surface and thus ignites the potassium chlorate of the igniter.

The ring 28 can be made of steel wool since the primary portion of the heat is conducted away directly through the walls 13b and 23b of the cans 11 and 21. The ring 28 serves not only for insulation of heat, but also to prevent escape of smoke. The smoke will pass through the openings in the container 17 toward the exterior through the ring 28 and the ring 30.

The specific data given above has proved successful in connection with the heating of cans which have cOntents of approximately 0.9 liter. The duration of the ignition-glowing operation is approximately 5 seconds, while the duration of the heating operation is approximately 3 minutes. The contents of the cans were heated in about 3 minutes to a temperature of approximately 60 C.

What is claimed is:

1. A unit comprising a plurality of containers arranged in end-to-end relation and connected to each other, said containers having adjoining end walls defining a given space between themselves, a combustible material situated in said space, and manually operable ignition means lo- 'cated partly in said space and accessible at the exterior of said space for igniting said combustible material, so that when the latter burns the contents of said containers will be heated.

2. A unit as recited in claim 1 and including at least two containers.

3. A unit as recited in claim 1 and wherein said adjoining end walls are respectively formed with recesses for receiving said combustible material.

4. A unit as recited in claim 3 and wherein said recesses are respectively formed by depressions of said end walls which extend into the interiors of the containers of which said end walls respectively form parts.

5. A unit as recited in claim 4 and wherein said depressions are each of a concave configuration substantially forming part of a sphere.

6. A unit as recited in claim 4 and wherein a ring of heat-insulating material is situated in said space surrounding said depressions of said end walls.

7. A unit as recited in claim 1 and wherein an outer connecting ring extends across said space and is connected to said adjoining end walls at peripheries thereof for connecting said containers to each other and for defining an outer limit of said space.

8. A unit as recited in claim 7 and wherein said connecting ring is formed with an opening passing therethrongh, a ring of heat-insulating material surrounded by and located adjacent said connecting ring in said space, said ring of heat-insulating material being formed with an opening passing therethrough registering with said opening of said connecting ring, an ignitable mass situated in said space next to said combustible material between the latter and said ring of heat-insulating material, said ignitable rnass forming part of said ignition means and said ignition means further including an ignition cord extending from said ignitable mass through said registering openings of said rings to the exterior of said connecting ring to be accessible to the operator for actuating said ignition means to ignite said combustible material.

8 9. A unit as recited in claim 8 and wherein said 'cord has an outer free end situated beyond said connecting ring at the exterior thereof, and said connecting ring being formed at its exterior with a depression in which said end of said cord is situated.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1945 Naranick 126-262 7/1959 Eder 126-262 CHARLES J. MYHRE, Primary Examiner. 

